Coleman's seat to remain vacant for now

APPLE VALLEY • Though residents suggested replacement candidates, it will be another three weeks before the Apple Valley Town Council makes a decision on Mayor Pro Tem Ginger Coleman's vacant seat.

Coleman announced her resignation on July 17 and vacated it nine days later.

The council on Tuesday night unanimously agreed to re-agendize the open seat item for Aug. 14, when they will also discuss Coleman's vacancies in a variety of organizations including the San Bernardino Associated Governments, Victor Valley Transit Authority and the Local Preference Committee.

Most of the meeting revolved around Coleman, who received well wishes from a San Bernardino Associated Governments representative, community leaders, residents and the council.

"You were one that was always open to suggestions and comments, and you never held back," Councilman Rick Roelle said. "I've learned a lot from you. You will be greatly missed."

The council could appoint a town resident to fill the seat, or leave the position open until December when new council members will be sworn in to replace the interim seat and Roelle, who is preparing for a San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor runoff with Robert Lovingood in the fall.

The town could also hold a special election, if the election were further away.

During public comments, a few voices urged the council to select a replacement for Coleman or face the possibility of a future 2-2 voting deadlock.

"I don't know about cutting numbers, but I've been doing this for 37 years and I don't count numbers," Town Attorney John Brown said. "Three passes a motion, and so does four."

A split vote has caused division on a few occasions, but for the most part the council has seen eye-to-eye on the majority of issues, Mayor Barb Stanton said.

Carl Tate, who has close to 30 years of public service including 13 years on the Victor Valley Community College Board, told the council that he is available to fill Coleman's seat and could "almost hit the bricks running with very little orientation."

Many audience members endorsed former town Mayor Bob Sagona, who served on the council from 1998 to 2010.

"We already voted and we had a runner-up, and that was Mr. Sagona," resident David Mueller said. "He's already served on the council, everybody knows him, we know he's a steady hand and he can fill the position until our next election."

If the council wishes to fill the vacancy, it must appoint a resident by Sept. 24 with a majority vote by the council.

As the director of planning at Altech Engineering, Coleman said several years of a weak economy affected development so severely that she had to look for work.

Coleman will be staying with a friend during the week, as she works for the District Attorney's office in Downtown San Diego.

In 1996, Councilwoman Kathy Davis stepped down after six years on the council, which make Coleman's abrupt departure the second resignation in the town's history.

The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14. The full agenda and meeting can be viewed online at www.AppleValley.org.

Rene De La Cruz may be reached at MrReneDeLaCruz@gmail.com.

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